Getting around Seattle: A Transportation Guide

Even though Seattle is old enough that railways and streetcars once dominated its transportation system, the city is now largely dominated by automobiles. Seattle is also serviced by an extensive network of bus routes and two commuter rail routes connecting it to many of its suburbs.

The first streetcars appeared in 1889 and were instrumental in the creation of a relatively well-defined downtown and strong neighborhoods at the end of their lines. Unfortunately, the advent of the automobile proved to be the death knell for rail in Seattle. Tacoma-Seattle railway service ended in 1929 and the Everett-Seattle service came to an end in 1939, replaced by inexpensive automobiles running on the recently developed highway system. With the removal or paving over of the rails on city streets and the arrival of trolleybuses, 1941 brought the end of streetcars in Seattle. This left only an extensive network of buses to provide mass transit within the city and throughout the region.

Seattle city centre is well serviced by public transport with an excellent bus system, historic streetcars along the waterfront, and a high-speed elevated Monorail which links downtown to the Seattle Center and offers views over the harbour and beyond. There is also the Washington State Ferry system that offers scenic excursions outside the city limits. The bus system is the most extensive and runs throughout the night, but less frequently after 8pm. Buses provide free transport within the downtown area between the Waterfront and 6th Avenue and Pioneer Square and Battery Street, from 6am to 7pm. The Ride Free Area also includes the Metro Tunnel, which goes underneath the city avoiding traffic congestion. In addition there are the old-fashioned Waterfront streetcars or trams that are of more use to tourists than commuters, allowing passengers to hop on and off with an all day ticket at the various tourist attractions along its route. Fares on buses and trams are slightly more expensive during peak hours and there are no services on Sundays. Taxis can be hailed from taxi ranks or ordered by telephone. Parking in Seattle is expensive and limited, but traffic isn't too bad outside of rush hour and the city is fairly easy to navigate. Renting a car for excursions outside the city is a good option; a minimum age of 25 years, an International Driving Permit (national drivers license sometimes accepted) and a credit card are required.